Brain-controlled device to restore movement after paralysis
Visuomotor Prosthetic for Paralysis
This project works to turn signals from two brain areas into controls so people with tetraplegia can steer devices or robotic limbs more naturally.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11266028 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would take part at a clinical site where researchers record brain activity from two regions (posterior parietal cortex and motor cortex) in people with tetraplegia who have brain implants. They will compare how those brain areas represent planning, sensing, and executing movements while participants do tasks like navigating, drawing, and controlling multiple devices at once. The team uses those recordings to improve algorithms that translate neural signals into commands for cursors, prosthetic arms, or other assistive devices. Earlier work showed these brain signals remain stable after injury, and this project builds on that to make device control more reliable and useful in daily life.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with tetraplegia who are willing and eligible to receive brain implants and travel to the clinical site would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without paralysis, those with conditions that make surgery or implants unsafe, or people unwilling to undergo implant-related visits are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let people with paralysis control assistive devices more naturally and regain useful, functional actions.
How similar studies have performed: Other brain-machine interface trials have enabled some people with paralysis to control cursors and robotic limbs, and this project builds on those successes while exploring new brain areas and tasks.
Where this research is happening
Pasadena, United States
- California Institute of Technology — Pasadena, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Andersen, Richard a — California Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Andersen, Richard a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.